Mears, of Horley, Surrey, had been expected to face trial at Guildford Crown Court on January 22

The Crown Prosecution Service offered no evidence against the teen at Guildford Crown Court today and the judge was told a diary had come to light which led to the case collapsing.

Sarah Lindop, prosecuting, said material had surfaced last week which she admitted was "late in the day" on what was initially a"finely balanced case".

When asked what the delay in getting the evidence was, she explained there were "disclosure matters" in diary entries that cops had been trying to secure.

The court was told prosecutors had recently gathered material "sensitive to the complainant" and had received evidence from "digital devices" from Surrey Police.

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Oliver Mears, 19, had pleaded not guilty to the rape charge, with the trial against him dropped just days before it was expected to begin

But Judge Jonathan Black hit out at "unnecessary delays" as he ordered a full explanation from the head of the CPS rape and sexual offences unit within 28 days.

He added: "The defendant and the complainant have had these matters hanging over their heads for nearly two years in circumstances that if the investigation had been carried out in the first place it would not have led to this."

Oliver's parents said they were "absolutely delighted" as they left court today.

The judge's damning verdict

The CPS and police were slammed by Judge Jonathan Black for "unnecessary delays in investigating appropriate avenues" after it was revealed a diary had been handed over to them just last week.

The court heard Mears' lawyers had been asking for the diary since October last year and the prosecutor explained: "The police have been trying to secure that."

The judge questioned why there had been a delay in obtaining evidence as prosecutor Sarah Lindop admitted there had been "disclosure issues" on what was originally a "finely balanced case".

He said: "It seems to me in a case which is as finely balanced as you say it was, there have been unnecessary delays in investigating... leading to what seems to be a completely unnecessary last-minute decision in this case.

"Both Oliver Mears and the complainant have had this matter hanging over their heads for two years in circumstances, had the investigation been carried out properly in the first instance, would not have led to this position."

Judge Black also demanded a full explanation from the head of the CPS rape and sexual offences unit within 28 days.

He said: "Then I will see if any action is required at CPS senior level, or police senior level."

The student's trial had been due to start on Monday, but it was reported that the CPS told his lawyers just days before that they would not be submitting any evidence.

The young man, who had pleaded not guilty to the charges, had taken time out of his studies at St Hugh's College because of stress after facing the allegations.

He was on police bail for two years after being arrested and was charged with rape in June.

A police spokeswoman told The Times that the trial did not go ahead due to a "number of reasons", adding that an internal review was ongoing.

A CPS spokesman said: “Following a review of this case, prosecutors were not satisfied there was a realistic prospect of conviction. We therefore decided to offer no evidence.”

Surrey Police confirmed they had launched an internal review of the force's investigation and said they would be liaising with the CPS.

They confirmed evidence was submitted to the CPS in May last year and they provided materials from the alleged victim's digital media 11 days after it was requested.

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The court was told today new evidence in the form of a diary had come to light

Jon Savell, Head of Public Protection, said: "We accept there were flaws in the initial investigation. It was not expedient and the investigator did not examine the victim's digital media during the initial investigation or follow what we would consider to be a reasonable line of enquiry.

"Surrey Police deeply regrets mistakes made in the efficacy of investigations and will always seek to implement continual improvement and specific learning points.

"Since 2015 we have reviewed our structure and the resources dedicated to the investigation of child and adult rape and serious sexual offences.

"Significant investment has been made in resourcing levels and training particularly within our specialist Sexual Offences Investigation Team and our Safeguarding Investigation Units, with more intrusive supervision, governance and oversight of investigations.

"We also have a senior detective embedded with the SE Region CPS Rape and Serious Sexual Offence Unit to further enhance the quality of police prosecution files.

"We are reviewing all our current rape cases to ensure that investigations are thorough, timely, effective and compliant with policy and guidelines."

It comes after head of the Crown Prosecution Service Alison Saunders was accused of complacency after a string of failed rape cases.

Liam now plans to sue cops, and Scotland Yard are to review all sexual assault cases

The criminology student, of Penge, South East London, was hugged by tearful mum Lorraine and surrounded by supporters as he walked free at Croydon Crown Court.

The woman claimed she was subjected to six rapes and six sex assaults over 14 months but police sat on messages where she had begged Liam for sex.

In another, she is thought to have asked a man about acting out a rape fantasy.

The case dramatically collapsed in December after newly -appointed prosecuting barrister Jerry Hayes discovered police had a disk with 40,000 messages from the complainant which "blew the prosecution case out the water".

Isaac Itiary had a rape and abuse case against him dropped after it emerged police had failed to disclose evidence

Liam is now planning to sue cops, while Scotland Yard are planning to review all sexual assault cases.

Just days later, it emerged another man had been charged with rape after a police blunder.